What a blessing for God to give us the opportunity to join with Him to bring new life. Amazing gift He gives us ... overwhelmingly obvious at their birth. And then to see them develop is continually a joy, seeing who He has designed them to be! Individuals with completely different make-ups, yet you see things from this parent, or that, or some distant relative. God is so creative!
I am abundantly blessed in the children God has given us. What a responsibility to help guide them and help discern God's direction for them! What a joy they are; I'm so grateful to God for them. They are gifts, and a heritage, from the Lord. Their kindness and thoughtfulness, care, generosity, and help are such a blessing in my life! I am constantly amazed at who they are turning out to be, and what they do! I can't wait to see what God has in store for them!
My son got a sore throat two nights before the SAT. :-( Fever and the whole works, but it was a virus so there wasn't much we could do. He went and took the test, but was in less than top condition. Know he did pretty well, anyway, just because he's "so stinking smart" (as a friend of his says). He'll get his scores online in about 3 weeks.
We had our last AIM class for the quarter today. Hurray! It was a great class, and we have a great AIM team. They really did an excellent job! It's such a joy to work with them and to see God use them in the class. Our class shepherds are a Navigator's missionary couple. The woman is my mentor, and the man used to be an elder at our church. They gave us all special thank you's today, gave the ladies on the AIM team roses, and gave me a sweet gift certificate as the Class Coordinator (also from the Pastor who oversees our ministry and his wife). Very thoughtful, and so generous!!
It is such a joy when the class participants meet with the ministry leaders of the ministries they are considering getting involved in. How exciting to see God at work, drawing people and giving them wisdom, discernment and guidance in how He wants to use them in His Body! I love making the ministry connections for them to all get together, then to see what God has shown them and how He's directing them! Awesome!
We had another planning meeting for our mission trip. We are making sure our shots are still up to date, and sending off for our visas. Another young lady decided to join our team this week! She's never gone on a mission trip, so I'm looking forward to seeing how God uses her and uses this in her life! Some are still praying about joining the team. We're still looking for some worship team members to join us.
This past week I was pretty surprised in one of my Quiet Times when God showed me some of what He wants me to do on this trip. He has called me in the past to "feed His sheep, tend His lambs, and to shepherd and care for His sheep." He has gifted me as a shepherd and discipler, and I love to do this. This past week He reminded me that those in Central Asia are young believers and some of them have never taken many spiritual steps. I am to help them identify and take their next spiritual steps. (!!)
Last trip, I was so focused on completing my task of teaching VBS and working with the children that it shook me up when my interpreter needed some spiritual guidance. (Culture shock had some to do with that too, I think.) This trip I will have more opportunity to build relationships and to help encourage the believers in their walks with God. I will be there longer, and will be working directly with the adults for the month I'm there. Pray for me as I prepare for and pursue this endeavor!
